Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. You need to get yourself into a different place every now and then just to get some new ideas popping. That is what this weekend was for the girls and myself - a great time in a great town. With it, also came a lot of travel-time satellite radio. It really has something for everybody, and apparently I am not some bands' idea of everybody. That is OK. I am sure Sleigh Bells will have a fine and prosperous musical career whether or not I am a big fan. The Beatles or Stones debate may forever rage on, but me, I am usually caught up in the Kool & the Gang or Earth, Wind & Fire debate. (In case you are keeping score at home, I am planting my flag in the EWF camp). I love the 70’s station, and will always be a sucker for the decade's radio rock I grew up with. So when I am not busy doing the respect “Walk” with Pantera, you can definitely find me doing the “Lido Shuffle” with Boz Scaggs.
Because, like I said, sometimes you just need a little variety -
Boz Scaggs released the album Silk Degrees in 1976 on Columbia Records. Backing him on this album were a bunch of studio musicians who would later make up the band Toto (which is a whole new debate we will not open up here). And guess what, it sounds very polished. These are some classic well-put-together songs, and the instrumentation is top notch. Yeah, I know there is a certain Kermit the Frog quality to his voice at times (check out the remakes of “We’re All Alone” to experience this song’s true sappy grandeur), but who does not love the “Rainbow Connection” every now and then. I would say the same for Boz’s awesome hit “Lowdown” -
Maybe it is just the nostalgia of it all, returning to the time of candy and comic books. Or maybe it is because this cat was so cool he went by the name Boz. I love the real instruments, catchy hooks, guitar solos, and polish of this era. So check out Silk Degrees, or I will be forced to go all Gerry Rafferty on you -
- PLC
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be sure to check out Pat's other awesome music monday reviews:
- last week - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
- last month - Guided By Voices
- full archive of Music Monday with PLC - HERE
